SunZia Southwest Transmission Project

The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project is solely an electric transmission project, not a power generation facility. It would build the infrastructure needed to transport the primarily renewable energy generated in Arizona and New Mexico to customers in the southwestern United States. Two extra-high voltage transmission lines would carry approximately 3,000 megawatts on two 500kV AC lines. That is enough electricity to avoid the need to build a handful of coal-fired plants. The production of renewable energy in Arizona and New Mexico is only going to increase and it needs somewhere to go. In addition the southwest, especially California already deals with black and brownouts on a regular basis.

There are costs along with benefits in this project, and environmentalists are torn. It is a classic case of conflict between economic interests and environmental concern. While it could provide part of the US with energy from largely renewable sources it could negatively affect the environment. As planned the line would skirt two national wildlife refuges and cross the Rio Grande, all delicate areas rich in wildlife. Specifically it could have a negative effect on bird populations in the Socorro Valley by disrupting the migratory, wintering, and breeding bird populations that use the valley.

The line’s impact on wildlife must be taken into account, and of course the Bureau of Land Management is in the process of creating an Environmental Impact Statement. When this EIS is done we will have more information on any potential effects. However it is my belief that as long as the route chosen is the one that minimizes risks to wildlife the most, then it should be built.

Public participation has been important to developing this project. Many scoping meetings have been held to allow for public comment on proposed route corridors and to find alternatives. So far the SunZia Project has shown it is willing to work with everyone to find the best solution. I believe that if an alternative is shown to have less of an ecological impact they will choose that route. Also the route will not have as much impact as some critics say, as much as 80% of the line’s path would parallel existing lines. An alternative route just needs to be found for a few sections of path.

This is an important project that would improve the United States ageing infrastructure and supply renewable energy to a market that needs it.